Wound-Healing Systems and Methods Thereof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are wound-healing systems and methods thereof. A wound-healing system can include a wound dressing, a catheter-stabilization device, and an electrical-stimulation means for applying electrical stimulation to heal or protect at least a wound associated with a percutaneous insertion site of a patient. The wound dressing can be configured as an electrode for placement around the wound. The catheter-stabilization device can include an anchor pad and a retainer coupled to the anchor pad. The anchor pad can be configured to adhere to skin of the patient proximate the insertion site. The retainer can be configured to stabilize a catheter assembly while a catheter tube of the catheter assembly is disposed in the insertion site. The electrical-stimulation means can include an electrical power source and an external circuit between the catheter-stabilization device and the wound dressing for applying the electrical stimulation.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/140,990, filed Jan. 4, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,759,627, whichclaims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/956,897, filed Jan. 3, 2020, each of which is incorporated byreference in its entirety into this application.

BACKGROUND

Infectious microorganisms such as bacteria can invade a patient's bodythrough a catheter tube disposed in a percutaneous insertion site andsubsequently cause an infection (e.g., a deep-tissue infection, sepsis,etc.). While such microorganisms can invade the patient's body through alumen of the catheter tube, it is more likely the microorganismscolonizing skin of the patient about the insertion site will invade thepatient's body. Thus, clinicians routinely suppress the microorganismsabout the insertion site by applying an antiseptic such as analcohol-based chlorhexidine or iodopovidone solution prior tocatheterization. However, the microorganisms rapidly grow back about theinsertion site during the catheterization, thereby requiring frequentdressing changes in order to reapply the antiseptic and mitigate risk ofinfection. This leaves ample room for clinician error with respect toinadvertently missing a dressing change, missing or inappropriatelyapplying the antiseptic during a dressing change, or the like.

Disclosed herein are wound-healing systems and methods thereof thataddress at least the foregoing.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a wound-healing system including, in someembodiments, a wound dressing, a catheter-stabilization device, and anelectrical-stimulation means for applying electrical stimulation to healor protect at least a wound associated with a percutaneous insertionsite of a patient. The wound dressing is configured as an electrode forplacement around the wound. The catheter-stabilization device includesan anchor pad and a retainer coupled to the anchor pad. The anchor padis configured to adhere to skin of the patient proximate the insertionsite. The retainer is configured to stabilize a catheter assembly whilea catheter tube of the catheter assembly is disposed in the insertionsite. The electrical-stimulation means includes an electrical powersource and an external circuit between the catheter-stabilization deviceand the wound dressing for applying the electrical stimulation.

In some embodiments, the wound-healing system further includes anadhesive bandage for placement over a combination of the wound dressing,the catheter-stabilization device, and the catheter assembly. Theadhesive bandage is configured to adhere the combination of the wounddressing, the catheter-stabilization device, and the catheter assemblyto the patient for further stabilization.

In some embodiments, the wound dressing includes an electricallyconductive body. The body of the wound dressing includes a matrix of anaturally occurring polymer, a synthetic polymer, or a composite thereofhaving a metal, a salt, a conducting polymer, or a conducting allotropeof carbon dispersed therein.

In some embodiments, the body of the wound dressing includes anelectrically conductive hydrogel.

In some embodiments, the wound dressing includes a body. The body of thewound dressing includes a matrix of a naturally occurring polymer, asynthetic polymer, or a composite thereof configured to becomeelectrically conductive when at least partially saturated with a bodilyfluid.

In some embodiments, the wound dressing includes an antimicrobial agent.

In some embodiments, the external circuit includes a pair of electricalleads extending from the catheter-stabilization device for connectingwith the wound dressing. The electrical leads are constructed fromcoated metal wiring, electrically conductive paint, or a combinationthereof.

In some embodiments, the electrical-stimulation means includes anintegrated circuit disposed in a body of the retainer or a wing or coverof the retainer for locking a portion of the catheter assembly in theretainer. The integrated circuit includes at least a power circuitcoupled to the external circuit configured to convey electrical powerfrom the electrical power source to the wound dressing and a controlcircuit configured to modulate how the electrical power is delivered tothe wound dressing.

In some embodiments, the integrated circuit is configured to modulatethe electrical power such that a low-intensity current between about 200and 1000 mA is continuously delivered to the wound dressing for morethan 1 s at a time. The current has a particular polarity.

In some embodiments, the integrated circuit is configured to modulatethe electrical power such that a high-voltage current between about 50and 150 V is delivered to the wound dressing in 1-ms pulses. The currenthas an alternating polarity or a particular polarity.

In some embodiments, the integrated circuit includes biofeedback logicconfigured to detect changes in impedance through the skin of thepatient or the wound dressing. The biofeedback logic is also configuredto modulate how the electrical power is delivered to the wound dressingin accordance with the changes in impedance.

In some embodiments, the electrical power source is a battery. Thebattery is either rechargeable or replaceable.

In some embodiments, the battery is rechargeable. The retainer includesa port for charging the rechargeable battery.

In some embodiments, the retainer includes one or more light-emittingdiodes (“LEDs”) configured to indicate when the electrical-stimulationmeans is active.

In some embodiments, the wound-healing system further includes acontroller configured to communicatively connect to thecatheter-stabilization device and allow a user thereof to modulate howthe electrical power is delivered to the wound dressing.

Also disclosed herein is a wound-healing system including, in someembodiments, a wound dressing, a catheter-stabilization device, anelectrical-stimulation means for applying electrical stimulation to healor protect at least a wound associated with a percutaneous insertionsite of a patient, and an adhesive bandage. The wound dressing isconfigured as an electrode for placement around the wound. Thecatheter-stabilization device includes an anchor pad and a retainercoupled to the anchor pad. The anchor pad is configured to adhere toskin of the patient proximate the insertion site. The retainer isconfigured to stabilize a catheter assembly while a catheter tube of thecatheter assembly is disposed in the insertion site. Theelectrical-stimulation means includes an electrical power source, anexternal circuit between the catheter-stabilization device and the wounddressing, and an integrated circuit disposed in a body of the retaineror a wing or cover of the retainer for locking a portion of the catheterassembly in the retainer. The external circuit includes a pair ofelectrical leads extending from the catheter-stabilization device forconnecting with the wound dressing and applying the electricalstimulation. The integrated circuit includes at least a power circuitand a control circuit. The power circuit is coupled to the externalcircuit and configured to convey electrical power from the electricalpower source to the wound dressing. The control circuit is configured tomodulate how the electrical power is delivered to the wound dressing.The adhesive bandage is configured for placement over a combination ofthe wound dressing, the catheter-stabilization device, and the catheterassembly to adhere the combination to the patient for furtherstabilization thereof.

Also disclosed herein is a method of a wound-healing system including,in some embodiments, a wound dressing-applying step of applying a wounddressing around a wound associated with a percutaneous insertion site ofa patient. The wound dressing is configured as an electrode. The methodalso includes an adhering step of adhering an anchor pad of acatheter-stabilization device to skin of the patient proximate theinsertion site. The method also includes a stabilizing step ofstabilizing a catheter assembly in a retainer of thecatheter-stabilization device. The retainer is coupled to the anchorpad. The method also includes an electrical stimulation-applying step ofapplying electrical stimulation with an electrical-stimulation meanstherefor to heal or protect the wound. The electrical-stimulation meansincludes an electrical power source and an external circuit between thecatheter-stabilization device and the wound dressing for applying theelectrical stimulation.

In some embodiments, the method further includes an inserting step ofinserting a catheter tube of the catheter assembly into the insertionsite before stabilizing the catheter assembly in a retainer of thecatheter-stabilization device.

In some embodiments, the method further includes a placing step ofplacing an adhesive bandage over a combination of the wound dressing,the catheter-stabilization device, and the catheter assembly to adherethe combination to the patient for further stabilization.

In some embodiments, the method further includes an electricallead-connecting step of connecting a pair of electrical leads from thecatheter-stabilization device to the wound dressing to form an externalcircuit for applying the electrical stimulation.

In some embodiments, the electrical lead-connecting step includespainting the electrical leads on the catheter assembly with electricallyconductive paint.

In some embodiments, the method further includes a chargingcable-connecting step of connecting a charging cable to a port of theretainer. The charging cable-connecting step includes charging arechargeable battery, which rechargeable battery is the electrical powersource.

In some embodiments, the method further includes a determining step ofdetermining whether the electrical-stimulation means is active byobserving one or more LEDs of the retainer indicative of activeelectrical stimulation.

In some embodiments, the method further includes a modulating step ofmodulating how the electrical power is delivered to the wound dressingby controlling a controller communicatively connected to thecatheter-stabilization device.

These and other features of the concepts provided herein will becomemore apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the accompanyingdrawings and following description, which describe particularembodiments of such concepts in greater detail.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wound-healing system in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wound-healing system with a firstcatheter-stabilization device in use on a patient in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a wound-healing system with a secondcatheter-stabilization device in use on a patient in accordance withsome embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

Before some particular embodiments are disclosed in greater detail, itshould be understood that the particular embodiments disclosed herein donot limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. It should also beunderstood that a particular embodiment disclosed herein can havefeatures that can be readily separated from the particular embodimentand optionally combined with or substituted for features of any of anumber of other embodiments disclosed herein.

Regarding terms used herein, it should also be understood the terms arefor the purpose of describing some particular embodiments, and the termsdo not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Ordinal numbers(e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish oridentify different features or steps in a group of features or steps,and do not supply a serial or numerical limitation. For example,“first,” “second,” and “third” features or steps need not necessarilyappear in that order, and the particular embodiments including suchfeatures or steps need not necessarily be limited to the three featuresor steps. Labels such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,”“back,” and the like are used for convenience and are not intended toimply, for example, any particular fixed location, orientation, ordirection. Instead, such labels are used to reflect, for example,relative location, orientation, or directions. Singular forms of “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

With respect to “proximal,” a “proximal portion” or a “proximal-endportion” of, for example, a catheter disclosed herein includes a portionof the catheter intended to be near a clinician when the catheter isused on a patient. Likewise, a “proximal length” of, for example, thecatheter includes a length of the catheter intended to be near theclinician when the catheter is used on the patient. A “proximal end” of,for example, the catheter includes an end of the catheter intended to benear the clinician when the catheter is used on the patient. Theproximal portion, the proximal-end portion, or the proximal length ofthe catheter can include the proximal end of the catheter; however, theproximal portion, the proximal-end portion, or the proximal length ofthe catheter need not include the proximal end of the catheter. That is,unless context suggests otherwise, the proximal portion, theproximal-end portion, or the proximal length of the catheter is not aterminal portion or terminal length of the catheter.

With respect to “distal,” a “distal portion” or a “distal-end portion”of, for example, a catheter disclosed herein includes a portion of thecatheter intended to be near or in a patient when the catheter is usedon the patient. Likewise, a “distal length” of, for example, thecatheter includes a length of the catheter intended to be near or in thepatient when the catheter is used on the patient. A “distal end” of, forexample, the catheter includes an end of the catheter intended to benear or in the patient when the catheter is used on the patient. Thedistal portion, the distal-end portion, or the distal length of thecatheter can include the distal end of the catheter; however, the distalportion, the distal-end portion, or the distal length of the catheterneed not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless contextsuggests otherwise, the distal portion, the distal-end portion, or thedistal length of the catheter is not a terminal portion or terminallength of the catheter.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skillin the art.

Again, infectious microorganisms such as bacteria can invade a patient'sbody through a catheter tube disposed in a percutaneous insertion siteand subsequently cause an infection (e.g., a deep-tissue infection,sepsis, etc.). While such microorganisms can invade the patient's bodythrough a lumen of the catheter tube, it is more likely themicroorganisms colonizing skin of the patient about the insertion sitewill invade the patient's body. Thus, clinicians routinely suppress themicroorganisms about the insertion site by applying an antiseptic suchas an alcohol-based chlorhexidine or iodopovidone solution prior tocatheterization. However, the microorganisms rapidly grow back about theinsertion site during the catheterization, thereby requiring frequentdressing changes in order to reapply the antiseptic and mitigate risk ofinfection. This leaves ample room for clinician error with respect toinadvertently missing a dressing change, missing or inappropriatelyapplying the antiseptic during a dressing change, or the like.

Disclosed herein are wound-healing systems and methods thereof thataddress at least the foregoing.

For example, a wound-healing system includes, in some embodiments, awound dressing, a catheter-stabilization device, and anelectrical-stimulation means for applying electrical stimulation to healor protect at least a wound associated with a percutaneous insertionsite of a patient. The electrical stimulation is configured to inhibitgrowth of microorganisms such as bacteria. Mechanistically, the growthof at least the bacteria is believed to be inhibited by way ofdisrupting the integrity of bacterial membranes with the electricalstimulation. While inhibiting the growth of the foregoing microorganismscontributes to wound healing, the electrical stimulation is alsobelieved to activate wound-healing cells at the wound, as well aspromote migration of the wound-healing cells thereto. In view of such awound-healing system, the risk of infection by microorganisms such asbacteria is decreased with fewer dressing changes for enhanced woundhealing.

Wound-Healing Systems

FIG. 1 illustrates a wound-healing system 100 in accordance with someembodiments. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the wound-healing system 100respectively having a first catheter-stabilization device 110 and asecond catheter-stabilization device 310 in use on a patient inaccordance with some embodiments. While a catheter assembly 140 is shownin each figure of FIGS. 1-3 , an adhesive bandage 160 is shown in FIG. 1, and a controller 150 is shown in FIG. 1 , each wound healing-systemcomponent of the catheter assembly 140, the adhesive bandage 160, andthe controller 150 is an optional component of the wound-healing system100 in that each of the foregoing components can be separately providedfor use in the wound-healing system 100. That said, any one or morecomponents of the catheter assembly 140, the adhesive bandage 160, andthe controller 150 can be provided together (e.g., in a kit) with theprimary components of the wound-healing system 100 set forth below.

Primary components of the wound-healing system 100 include, but are notlimited to, a wound dressing 130, the catheter-stabilization device 110or 310, and an electrical-stimulation means for applying electricalstimulation to heal or protect at least a wound associated with apercutaneous insertion site of a patient such as the insertion site ISof FIGS. 2 and 3 . Each component of the foregoing primary components ofthe wound-healing system 100 is described in turn below. With respect tothe electrical-stimulation means, however, the electrical-stimulationmeans also includes electrical stimulation-related features of the wounddressing 130 and the catheter-stabilization device 110 or 310. Whilesome of the electrical stimulation-related features of the wounddressing 130 and the catheter-stabilization device 110 or 310 areexpressly set forth below as part of the electrical-stimulation means,it should be understood that any feature of the wound dressing 130 orthe catheter-stabilization device 110 or 310 in support of providing theelectrical stimulation of the wound-healing system 100 can be includedas part of the electrical-stimulation means.

The wound dressing 130 is configured as an electrode for placement overand around the wound associated with the insertion site IS of thepatient. The wound dressing 130 includes a body 232 having a slot 134therein configured to accommodate a catheter tube 142 of the catheterassembly 140 while the catheter tube 142 is disposed in the insertionsite IS of the patient and the wound dressing 130 is over and around thewound associated therewith.

The body 232 of the wound dressing 130 is electrically conductive orconfigured to become electrically conductive under certain conditions.The body 232 of the wound dressing 130 includes a matrix of a naturallyoccurring polymer (e.g., cotton [i.e., cellulose]), a synthetic polymer(e.g., a hydrogel, a polyurethane, etc.), or a composite thereof.

When the body 232 of the wound dressing 130 is electrically conductive,the matrix thereof includes a metal (e.g., copper, silver, etc.), asalt, a conducting polymer, or a conducting allotrope of carbondispersed therein. For example, the body 232 of the wound dressing 130can be an electrically conductive hydrogel.

When the body 232 of the wound dressing 130 is configured to becomeelectrically conductive, the body 232 becomes electrically conductivewhen at least partially saturated with a bodily fluid such as sweat,exudate, blood, or the like, the bodily fluid including, for example,ions for the electrical conductivity. Even when the body 232 of thewound dressing 130 is already electrically conductive, the foregoingbodily fluid can enhance the electrical conductivity.

The body 232 of the wound dressing 130 can include an antimicrobialagent dispersed therethrough, wherein the antimicrobial agent isconfigured to act synergistically with the electrical stimulation toinhibit the growth of bacteria. The antimicrobial agent can include, butis not limited to, chlorhexidine, silver, or copper. Alternatively oradditionally, the body 232 of the wound dressing 130 can include nitricacid, which is reduced to nitric oxide in the body 232 of the wounddressing 130 during the electrical stimulation of the wound. The nitricoxide is subsequently released from the body 232 of the wound dressing130 as an antimicrobial agent.

The catheter-stabilization device 110 or 310 includes an anchor pad 212and a retainer 214 or 314 coupled to the anchor pad 212.

The anchor pad 212 is configured to adhere to skin of the patientproximate the insertion site IS as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . The anchorpad 212 can be a formed of a breathable, non-absorbent tricot polyesteror closed cell foam with a hypoallergenic adhesive on a patient-facingside of the anchor pad 212. The retainer 214 or 314 is adhered to a sideof the anchor pad 212 opposite the patient-facing side of the anchor pad212.

The retainer 214 or 314 is configured to stabilize the catheter assembly140 (e.g., a peripherally inserted central catheter [“PICC”]) while thecatheter tube 142 of the catheter assembly 140 is disposed in theinsertion site IS as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . The retainer 214 or 314can include a suture-wing compartment within a body of the retainer 214or 314 configured to accept therein a suture wing 246 of the catheterassembly 140. The suture-wing compartment can include posts (e.g., post216) extending from a bottom of the suture-wing compartment, the postsconfigured for insertion into suture holes (e.g., suture hole 244) ofthe suture wing 246 of the catheter assembly 140. The retainer 214 or314 can be formed of or molded from polyurethane.

The retainer 214 is different than the retainer 314 in that the retainer214 includes hinged wings 218 coupled to the body of the retainer 214.The hinged wings 218 are configured to outwardly open for inserting thesuture wing 246 of the catheter assembly 140 into the suture-wingcompartment of the retainer 214. The hinged wings 218 are alsoconfigured to inwardly close and snap together with the body of theretainer 214 for locking the suture wing 246 of the catheter assembly140 in the suture-wing compartment of the retainer 214. The hinged wings218 include tabs and the body of the retainer 214 includes recessesenabling the hinged wings 218 to snap together with the body of theretainer 214.

The retainer 314 is different than the retainer 214 in that the retainer314 includes a cover 318 removably or fixedly coupled to the body of theretainer 314. When removably coupled, the cover 318 is configured tosnap together with the body of the retainer 314 for locking the suturewing 246 of the catheter assembly 140 in the suture-wing compartment ofthe retainer 314 after inserting the suture wing 246 therein. Like theretainer 214 and the hinged wings 218 thereof, the cover 318 includestabs and the body of the retainer 314 includes recesses enabling thecover 318 to snap together with the body of the retainer 314. Whenfixedly coupled, the cover 318 includes a hinged minor-end portionenabling an unhinged minor-end portion to be lifted away from the bodyof the retainer 314 for inserting the suture wing 246 of the catheterassembly 140 into the suture-wing compartment of the retainer 314. Theunhinged minor-end portion of the cover 318 includes tabs and acorresponding portion of the body of the retainer 314 includes recessesenabling the cover 318 to snap together with the body of the retainer314 for locking the suture wing 246 of the catheter assembly 140 in thesuture-wing compartment of the retainer 314 after inserting the suturewing 246 therein.

The electrical-stimulation means includes an electrical power source andan external circuit between the catheter-stabilization device 110 or 310and the wound dressing 130 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for applying theelectrical stimulation.

While not shown, the electrical power source is a battery (e.g., amicrobattery), which can be either a replaceable or rechargeablebattery. The battery can be disposed in a battery compartment in thebody of the retainer 214 or 314 of the catheter-stabilization device 110or 310, a wing of the hinged wings 218 of the retainer 214, or the cover318 of the retainer 314. The battery compartment can be configured tomate with a slide-locking cover over the battery compartment foraccessing the battery compartment as needed for replacing thereplaceable battery. Alternatively, the battery compartment can beinaccessibly sealed with the rechargeable battery therein to ensure afuss-free operational state of the catheter-stabilization device 110 or310. The retainer 214 or 314 can include a charging port 222electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery for charging therechargeable battery as needed.

The external circuit includes a pair of electrical leads 120 extendingfrom the catheter-stabilization device 110 or 310, or electricalcontacts (e.g., electrical contacts of the posts) thereof electricallycoupled to the electrical power source, for connecting with the wounddressing 130. While the electrical leads 120 are shown as beingconstructed from coated metal wiring, the electrical leads 120 canalternatively be constructed from electrically conductive paint,optionally in a combination with the coated metal wiring. Theelectrically conductive paint can be painted from the electrical powersource, or the electrical contacts of the catheter-stabilization device110 or 310 electrically coupled therewith, along the catheter tube 142to less than or equal to about 3 cm from a proximal end of the cathetertube 142 such that the electrically conductive paint is in contact withthe wound dressing 130.

The electrical-stimulation means can also include an integrated circuitdisposed in the body of the retainer 214 or 314 of thecatheter-stabilization device 110 or 310, a wing of the hinged wings 218of the retainer 214, or the cover 318 of the retainer 314. Theintegrated circuit includes at least a power circuit and a controlcircuit. While the wound-healing system 100 is in use, the power circuitis coupled to the external circuit. The power circuit is configured toconvey electrical power from the electrical power source to the wounddressing 130 by way of the external circuit. The control circuit isconfigured to modulate how the electrical power is delivered to thewound dressing 130 through the power circuit and the external circuit.

The integrated circuit can be configured to modulate the electricalpower in a number of different ways. For example, the integrated circuitcan be configured to modulate the electrical power such that alow-intensity current between about 200 and 1000 mA is continuouslydelivered to the wound dressing 130 for more than 1 s at a time. Such acurrent can have a particular polarity. It is believed application ofsuch a low-intensity current activates wound-healing cells at the wound,as well as promotes migration of the wound-healing cells thereto. Theintegrated circuit can also be configured to modulate the electricalpower such that a high-voltage current between about 50 and 150 V isdelivered to the wound dressing 130 in 1-ms pulses or pulses less than 1ms. Such a current can have an alternating polarity or a particularpolarity. It is believed application of such a high-voltage currentinhibits the growth of bacteria by way of disrupting the integrity ofbacterial membranes with the electrical stimulation.

The integrated circuit can include biofeedback logic configured todetect changes in impedance through the skin of the patient or the wounddressing 130. The biofeedback logic can also be configured to modulatehow the electrical power is delivered to the wound dressing 130 inaccordance with the changes in impedance. In addition to modulating howthe electrical power is delivered to the wound dressing 130, thebiofeedback logic can be configured to detect excessive bleeding by wayof the changes in impedance.

While not necessarily part of the electrical-stimulation means, the bodyof the retainer 214 or 314 of the catheter-stabilization device 110 or310, a wing of the hinged wings 218 of the retainer 214, or the cover318 of the retainer 314 can include one or more LEDs 224 configured toindicate when the electrical-stimulation means is active, what mode theelectrical-stimulation means is using, when the battery needs to berecharged or replaced, etc.

The wound-healing system 100 can further include the controller 150,which is representative of a bedside controller, a handheld controller,or even a smartphone having a communications module configured tocommunicate over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, or the like with a communicationsmodule in the retainer 214 or 314 of the catheter-stabilization device110 or 310. The controller 150 is configured to allow a user thereof tomodulate how the electrical power is delivered to the wound dressing130. For example, the controller 150 can be configured to freely allowthe user to adjust frequency, duration, voltage, or polarity of theelectrical power delivered to the wound dressing 130, which can beuseful in inhibiting growth of bacteria or optimizing one or more stagesof wound healing. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 150 canbe configured with one or more programs, settings, or modes toautomatically adjust the frequency, duration, voltage, or polarity ofthe electrical power delivered to the wound dressing 130.

The wound-healing system 100 can further includes the adhesive bandage160 for placement over a combination of the wound dressing 130, thecatheter-stabilization device 110 or 310, and the catheter assembly 140.The adhesive bandage 160 includes a patient-facing side having ahypoallergenic adhesive configured to adhere the combination of thewound dressing 130, the catheter-stabilization device 110 or 310, andthe catheter assembly 140 to the patient for further stabilization. Theadhesive bandage 160 can include a transparent window with reinforcededges of non-absorbent tricot polyester such that the combination of thewound dressing 130, the catheter-stabilization device 110 or 310, andthe catheter assembly 140 can be viewed through the transparent windowfor monitoring the wound-healing system 100. Notably, if the electricalleads 120 of the external circuit of the electrical-stimulation meansare constructed from the electrically conductive paint, the adhesivebandage 160 can protect the electrical leads 120 from wear by limitingexposure of the electrical leads 120.

Methods

Methods of the wound-healing system 100 include at least a method ofusing the wound-healing system 100. If the catheter assembly 140 isprovided with the wound-healing system 100, using the wound-healingsystem 100 can include an inserting step of inserting the catheter tube142 of the catheter assembly 140 into a percutaneous insertion site suchas the insertion site IS shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . The method can alsoinclude a stabilizing step of stabilizing the catheter assembly 140 inthe retainer 214 or 314 of the catheter-stabilization device 110 or 310while the catheter tube 142 of the catheter assembly 140 is disposed inthe insertion site IS.

The method of using the wound-healing system 100 generally includes awound dressing-applying step of applying the wound dressing 130 around awound associated with the insertion site IS. The method also includes anadhering step of adhering the anchor pad 212 of thecatheter-stabilization device 110 or 310 to skin of the patientproximate the insertion site IS. The method also includes an electricallead-connecting step of connecting the electrical leads 120 from thecatheter-stabilization device 110 or 310 to the wound dressing 130 toform the external circuit for applying the electrical stimulation. Theelectrical lead-connecting step can include painting the electricalleads 120 on the catheter assembly 140 with electrically conductivepaint. The method also includes an electrical stimulation-applying stepof applying electrical stimulation with the electrical-stimulation meanstherefor to heal the wound.

The method can further include a determining step of determining whetheror not the electrical-stimulation means is active by observing the oneor more LEDs 224 of the retainer 214 or 314 indicative of activeelectrical stimulation.

The method can further include a modulating step of modulating how theelectrical power is delivered to the wound dressing 130 by controllingthe controller 150 while it is communicatively connected to thecatheter-stabilization device 110 or 310.

The method can further include another determining step of determiningwhether or not the rechargeable battery needs charging. If so, themethod can further include a charging cable-connecting step ofconnecting the charging cable to the charging port 222 of the retainer214 or 314 of the catheter-stabilization device 110 or 310. The chargingcable-connecting step can include charging the rechargeable battery.

The method further can further include a placing step of placing theadhesive bandage 160 over a combination of the wound dressing 130, thecatheter-stabilization device 110 or 310, and the catheter assembly 140to adhere the foregoing combination to the patient for furtherstabilization.

While some particular embodiments have been disclosed herein, and whilethe particular embodiments have been disclosed in some detail, it is notthe intention for the particular embodiments to limit the scope of theconcepts provided herein. Additional adaptations and/or modificationscan appear to those of ordinary skill in the art, and, in broaderaspects, these adaptations and/or modifications are encompassed as well.Accordingly, departures may be made from the particular embodimentsdisclosed herein without departing from the scope of the conceptsprovided herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wound-healing system, comprising: a dressingconfigured for placement over a skin insertion site of a patient, thedressing including an electrically conductive body; a stabilizationdevice, including: an anchor pad configured to adhere to the patientproximate the skin insertion site, and a retainer coupled to the anchorpad, the retainer configured to stabilize a catheter assembly having aportion disposed in the skin insertion site; an electrical power source,and an external circuit positioned between the stabilization device andthe dressing, the external circuit configured to apply an electricalstimulation to the dressing.
 2. The wound-healing system according toclaim 1, further comprising an adhesive bandage configured for placementover the dressing, the stabilization device, and the catheter assembly.3. The wound-healing system according to claim 1, wherein the body ofthe dressing includes a matrix of a naturally occurring polymer, asynthetic polymer, or a composite thereof, the matrix including a metal,a salt, a conducting polymer, or a conducting allotrope of carbondispersed therein.
 4. The wound-healing system according to claim 1,wherein the body of the dressing includes an electrically conductivehydrogel.
 5. The wound-healing system according to claim 1, wherein thebody of the dressing is configured to become electrically conductiveupon being at least partially saturated with a bodily fluid.
 6. Thewound-healing system according to claim 1, wherein the dressing includesan antimicrobial agent.
 7. The wound-healing system according to claim1, wherein the external circuit includes a pair of electrical leadsextending between the stabilization device and the dressing, the pair ofelectrical leads constructed from coated metal wiring, electricallyconductive paint, or a combination thereof.
 8. The wound-healing systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising an integrated circuit disposedin the retainer, the integrated circuit including a power circuitcoupled to the external circuit, the power circuit configured to conveyelectrical power from the electrical power source to the dressing. 9.The wound-healing system according to claim 8, wherein the integratedcircuit further includes a control circuit configured to modulate howthe electrical power is delivered to the dressing.
 10. The wound-healingsystem according to claim 9, wherein the integrated circuit isconfigured to modulate the electrical power in order to continuouslydeliver a low-intensity current between about 200 mA and 1000 mA havinga particular polarity to the dressing for more than 1 s at a time. 11.The wound-healing system according to claim 9, wherein the integratedcircuit is configured to modulate the electrical power in order todeliver a high-voltage current between about 50 and 150 V having analternating polarity or a particular polarity to the dressing in 1-mspulses.
 12. The wound-healing system according to claim 9, wherein theintegrated circuit includes biofeedback logic configured to detectchanges in impedance and modulate how the electrical power is deliveredto the dressing.
 13. The wound-healing system according to claim 1,wherein the electrical power source is a rechargeable or replaceablebattery.
 14. The wound-healing system according to claim 13, wherein thebattery is rechargeable, the retainer including a port for charging therechargeable battery.
 15. The wound-healing system according to claim 1,wherein the retainer includes one or more light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”)configured to indicate an active state of the system.
 16. Thewound-healing system according to claim 1, further comprising acontroller configured to communicatively connect to the stabilizationdevice and allow a user to modulate how electrical power is deliveredfrom the electrical power source to the dressing.
 17. The wound-healingsystem according to claim 16, wherein the retainer includes a retainercommunications module, and wherein the controller comprises a smartphonehaving a smartphone communications module configured to communicate withthe retainer communications module over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth®.
 18. Thewound-healing system according to claim 16, wherein the controller isconfigured to permit the adjustment of aspects of the electrical powerselected from the group consisting of frequency, duration, voltage,polarity, and a combination thereof.
 19. The wound-healing systemaccording to claim 18, wherein the controller includes one or moreprograms, settings, or modes to automatically adjust the aspects ofelectrical power.